Even with a managed phase-out, fossil fuels
including natural gas, can have no substantial role beyond 2035 in an EU
energy system compatible with 2°C.

The findings are a stark
reminder of the urgency with which Europe, as a region historically
responsible for climate change, needs to shift to an energy system free
from fossil fuels. Under the terms of the Paris climate agreement,
the EU has committed to limit global warming to 'well below 2°C' and to
'pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C'. For 1.5°C,
gas and other fossil fuels would need to be phased-out even faster.

Because of the high levels of both CO2 and methane emissions throughout the gas lifecycle, the authors conclude that, "there is categorically no role for bringing additional fossil fuel reserves, including gas, into production", and that, ''an urgent programme to phase out existing natural gas and other fossil fuel use across the EU is an imperative''.

Jagoda Munic, director of Friends of the Earth Europe, said: "Europe's
infatuation with gas is totally incompatible with serious action on
climate change. The oil and gas industry is going all out to paint gas
as green and keep us hooked on fossil fuels, but the truth is there is
absolutely no room for gas in the transition we need to a clean energy
future. Europe needs to urgently get off all fossil fuels, realise the
full potential of energy savings, and go for a 100% renewable system in
the hands of people."

Professor Kevin Anderson, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the Teesside University said:
"If the EU is to transform its energy system to align with the Paris
temperature and equity commitments, it cannot continue with business as
usual and must instead initiate a rapid phase out of all fossil fuels
including natural gas. This needs to begin now and be complete within
the coming two decades."

Doctor John Broderick, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and University of Manchester said: "Extracting
and burning natural gas produces substantial quantities of methane and
carbon dioxide which warm the climate in different ways. We need to
rapidly reduce emissions of both of these gases to prevent dangerous
climate change, not one or the other."

For the next two
weeks, negotiators from around the world are meeting in Bonn, Germany
for the United Nations climate talks. Talks will focus on agreeing the
'rule book' for implementation of the Paris Agreement.

* Friends of the Earth International spokespeople are available
throughout the COP23 climate talks in Bonn. For more information or an
interview please contact: Francesca Gater, communications coordinator,
Friends of the Earth Europe, francesca.gater[at]foeeurope.org, +32 (0)
485 93 05 15

With its Fossil Free Europe vision,
Friends of the Earth Europe is working to create the much-needed, fair
and urgent transition to a fossil fuel free Europe by 2030. This means
dismantling the fossil fuel system and creating the just, clean energy
future that people want and need.